Self as Simulacrum

Drawing on the postmodern narrative, this chapter considers the self as a simulacrum. In doing so, the concept of the simulacrum in Baudrillard’s theory is first explained, and later the arguments that the postmodern, digital, virtual self is a simulacrum of the organic, physical self are presented. In that context, the relationship between simulacrum, self and identity is analyzed, as well as their connection with consumerism. The virtual self that exists in parallel and is as realistic as the organic, physical self, and often shapes the same, is especially produced through video games in the form of an avatar with which social agents move in virtual reality. Hence, in this chapter special attention is devoted to the virtual self—characteristic for video games.